title: Radiological, forensic, and anthropological studies of a concrete block containing bones.
abstract: Multidisciplinary forensic, anthropological, and radiological studies of bone fragments encased in a concrete block were carried out to determine whether or not the bones were human. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) investigation was performed before the bones were removed from the concrete. MSCT study pinpointed the location of the bone fragments within the concrete block, which was helpful for their extraction and recovery, and identified most of their types and nature. Osteological study on dry bones provided more accurate identification of the bones and of their side. According to both methods, the human skeletal remains were compatible with those of a child, aged 8-13 years old, with a minimum height of 128 cm. Neither investigation identified sex or racial phenotype. Both studies identified the skeletal remains as consisting of two animal and five human bones. Furthermore, both methods revealed that the concrete completely encased bones, suggesting a secondary burial.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Légale, CHU Toulouse-Rangueil, 1 avenue Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. fabded2@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dedouit
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gainza
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Franchitto
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Joffre
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rougé
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Telmon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography